To Catch A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 2)

by Maggie Carpenter

  "Since you asked so nicely…"

  Grabbing her hips and pulling her into his pelvis, he plunged into her depths and began to thrust. He had every intention of keeping a measured pace, but his fever seized him. The pace of his strokes quickened, her squeals echoed through the small room, then suddenly he felt his climax threatening. Sucking in the air, willing his pounding heart to be calm, he slowed his rhythm, finally coming to rest, staying buried inside her.

  "Oh, my gosh," she said breathlessly. "That was incredible. Why did you stop? "

  "Hate to admit it, but I had to."

  "Already?" she panted.

  "What can I say? That's what happens when a guy is on a diet too long."

  As he released her hips and leaned forward to rest on his elbows, his muscled body towered over her, making him bigger than life. He was a conqueror taking her for his pleasure, pummeling her pussy, sweeping her away with his slow, powerful strokes. His torso brushed against her nipples sending scintillating pleasure through her breasts, and his cock caressed her clit with every stroke. In the whole world there was just him, and the glorious possession of her body.

  "Don't stop," she begged, feeling the swell of her climatic balloon. "Please, don't stop, don't stop."

  Determined she would have her orgasm, but knowing he couldn't last, he searched for an answer.

  It came to him in a flash.

  Nipple clamps!

  Dropping his mouth to her breasts, he nipped as he thrust.

  To his great joy and relief her body tensed, she held her breath, then with a loud shriek she exploded.

  Continuing the tantalizing torment until her spasms waned, he straightened up, clutched her waist, and rode her until his climax approached. Quickly withdrawing and grabbing his cock, he spewed his essence across her stomach, groaning as the intense rush of pleasure pulsated through his body.

  Breathless and serene, she curled against him, resting her head against the beating drum in his chest. Her sticky stomach didn't bother her, nor was she worried about how much time had passed. Everything was right with the world. She had her very own, handsome, tough, loving, strong, sexy as hell cowboy.

  "Hey, Princess. You doin' okay?"

  "No, not at all. I'm miserable. I've had such an awful day. Especially the last—how long have I been held captive on this hard floor?"

  "Aren't you just full of sass? If I wasn't so wiped out I'd spank that gorgeous butt of yours."

  "Aww. Is this city girl too much for you, cowboy?"

  "Keep talkin'. I'm makin' mental notes."

  "You are? I'm so scared my knees are knocking."

  "You're playin' with matches," he said with a grin, shifting to rest on his elbow, "and as much as I'd like to see you burn your fingers, I think your clothes will be dry."

  "No, don't go yet," she pleaded as he rose to his feet. "Can't we sit up on the couch and talk for a minute? I still don't know everything that happened the other night."

  "Yeah, you're right. I need to fill you in."

  Helping her up, he grabbed the blanket, and settling next to her on the sofa, he laid it over their laps.

  "Josh, I just had a thought. Why are you here? You're supposed to be at a show an hour away."

  "One of my students loaded the wrong saddle."

  "Don't you check everything before you leave?"

  "She's fifteen and a scatterbrain, and yeah, I check everything, but this mornin' I was distracted by this gorgeous girl who wanted to sit on my mare. When she left all I could think about was how bad I wanted to be naked with her."

  "I see. Did your wish come true?"

  "And then some," he said, giving her a quick kiss. "What about you? Why did you come here?"

  "When I found out I'd spent the night with you, I had the strongest feeling I had to come here and see Queenie, but I didn't know why."

  "Dang. I could've called and had one of the workers to bring the saddle to the show, but somethin' told me I needed to collect it myself. We were both compelled to get here."

  "Josh, that's wild. What do you think it means?"

  "Queenie wants us to be together," he said with a chuckle. "What else could it mean?"

  "Queenie's special, but I'm not sure she's that special, though it is pretty weird. Anyway, getting back down to Earth. How did you know someone slipped something in my drink at The Horseshoe Tavern?"

  "Prepare yourself, Princess."

  "That doesn't sound good."

  "It's not. Over the last year there's been a rash of incidents like yours, and they've all happened within a sixty mile radius."

  "Seriously? Holy crap. How do you know about this?"

  "A detective workin' on the case is a member of my gun club. He asked me to keep my eyes open. I've ended up much more involved than just keepin' my eyes open."

  "Wow. Josh, this is intense."

  "Yep. Intense and frustratin'. I wanna catch this guy real bad. I'm at a bar almost every night, but I don't drink. I flirt to keep up appearances, but my eyes are peeled every second."

  "Oh, so that's why."

  "Why what?"

  "People warned me to keep my distance from you. Heath said you have a reputation as a love 'em and leave 'em, and Duke Palmer told me you're a Cowboy Casanova."

  "Yeah, that's the downside. Do you remember seein' me with a blonde?"

  "I do. You came in from the back."

  "Everyone in that place assumed we were foolin' around, but she's a police officer. Her name's Wanda and we were comparin' notes. She's the one who drove your car to my place."

  "You're kidding."

  "When I saw you at the bar I almost came over, but I'd been watchin' this one guy, and you're—"

  "Distracting."

  "Yeah, exactly, but I kept my eye on you."

  "Do you think he's the one who slipped the drug in my drink?"

  "I dunno, but probably not. There were a ton of people there, and he'd already left when you came up and asked me to dance."

  "I did?"

  "Yep. I noticed right away you weren't right."

  "How did you know I was drugged and not just wasted?"

  "I know the symptoms."

  "Oh, right, med school."

  "That, and I've been trained. I hustled you outta there real quick, but I couldn't take you back to Dream Horse Ranch. I don't know Heath Boyd or your situation there. The last thing I wanted to do was wake up the ranch to get on the property, or let them see you in such a bad state. When we got back to my place we tried to put you in the guest room, but you refused."

  "Did I give a reason?"

  "Very loudly. I was your cowboy and you wouldn't go to bed without me. You're one stubborn girl. When you want something, you don't give up."

  "Guilty," she said sheepishly. "Sorry."

  "We finally surrendered. I left while Wanda took off your jeans and boots, but the minute she put you into bed you started yellin' for me. The minute I climbed in, you rolled against me and passed out. I didn't wanna leave. God forbid you woke up and found me gone. Lord knows what you might have done."

  "I can't believe what I'm hearing. I'm so embarrassed."

  "You don't need to be. It was the drug."

  "Josh," she said solemnly, moving from the crook of his shoulder and facing him. "What do you think would have happened if you hadn't been there?"

  "Not a pretty scenario. The victims wake up in out-of-the-way places. Picnic grounds are a favorite spot. Their clothes are scattered, and they have no idea where they are or how they got there. Any jewelry is usually gone, though he doesn't take their weddin' rings or phones. That's kinda bafflin. Like he cares."

  "No-one sees him leave with these women?"

  "This guy is smart and careful. He knows how to get them out of the bar, or club, or wherever it is, and he knows how to cover his tracks. And get this. He chooses bars with no security cameras. We think he leaves by himself, then somehow lures them out, but no-one can get a handle on how he does that."

&n
bsp; "And none of the victims remember him?"

  "Did you remember me?"

  "I don't remember any of it, except dancing with you."

  "That must have been when the drug took hold."

  "I still can't believe I could have been…"

  "Hey, you weren't. And you won't be," he said softly. "Here, you're getting cold again. Put the blanket around you and I'll fetch your clothes."

  "I am feeling a bit chilly," she mumbled as he disentangled himself.

  "We can't leave yet. That storm is still mad as hell."

  "I don't mind. I love being in this empty barn with you."

  "Me too," he said, leaning down and giving her a quick kiss. "I'll be right back."

  As he left the room, she donned her underwear, then wrapping herself in the blanket, she walked across to the small window and stared out at the tempest.

  "Hey, Princess. Watcha doin'?"

  "Thinking," she replied, turning around to face him. "I have an idea. A really good one."

  "Oh, yeah? Let's hear it."

  "The guy who tried to nail me. He'll be pissed off and frustrated, right?"

  "I reckon he'll be about as angry as that storm."

  "I'm officially volunteering to go back to The Horseshoe Tavern to give him another shot. I'm the perfect bait."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Laying Theresa's dry clothes over his desk, Josh ambled wordlessly across the room. As he approached, her eyes danced with excitement, and shaking his head, he picked up her hand and studied the injured finger.

  "I need to change this wet dressin'. Go sit in that chair by the desk."

  "Didn't you hear me? I said I want to go back to The Horseshoe Tavern and draw out that scumbag."

  "Yep, I heard you. Go sit down."

  "But—"

  "Go on now."

  "Bossy," she muttered, padding across to the chair. "You could at least offer an opinion."

  Moving to the cabinet and retrieving his medicine bag, he found the supplies he needed, then perched on the edge of the desk in front of her.

  "Hand up, please."

  "I take it you're not thrilled with the idea," she said as he began to remove the bandage. "I'll be perfectly safe. You'll be watching over me, and you could bring in your blonde police officer—jeez, for that matter you could have a bunch of cops there dressed like regular customers."

  "I need to put more antiseptic on this. You might feel a sting."

  "Would you please talk to me? Ouch."

  "Sorry. Hold still."

  "Josh, please. What do you think?"

  "About you goin' into the tavern as bait?"

  "Of course. Do you know you're being exasperating?"

  "Yep," he said briskly, applying a fresh gauze bandage. "I'm makin' a point. I'm surprised it's takin' you so long to get it."

  "And what point is that?"

  "It's not even worth discussin". There, you're all set. How's it feelin'?"

  "I thought it would be bothering me, but it's not. Why are you so against the idea?"

  "Theresa, I know you're stubborn, but—"

  "Determined. I'm determined," she quipped, cutting him off. "There's a difference."

  "Determined, stubborn, call it what you want, but you're not gettin' your way, not about this."

  "Can't we even talk about it?"

  "Didn't I already answer that question?"

  "Now who's being stubborn?"

  "I thought you were determined."

  "I am. You're stubborn," she retorted, then taking a breath, she crinkled her brown and looked at him with pleading eyes. "I really want to do this. That dirtbag is out there hurting women. He tried to hurt me. Please let me help."

  "Theresa, I'm gonna make this real clear," he said, pulling her to her feet and putting his arms around her. "There's no way I'm gonna be involved in any situation that puts you in harm's way. This guy is slick, real slick. There's no tellin' how he might turn the tables on us. The answer is absolutely not. No. Nada. Got it?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Good," he murmured, leaning down planting a soft kiss. "Get dressed. I'll make us some coffee and check on the weather."

  Stepping back, he picked up his supplies, dropped them into his bag, then moved back to the cabinet.

  "If you don't want to help me catch this creep, I'll ask Salvo," she said softly. "He's smart, and he's got an amazing left hook. He could have been a pro boxer if he'd wanted to be. He'll be happy to be my bodyguard."

  The threat had been an empty one.

  A means to an end.

  A trick to make Josh throw up his hands in defeat.

  Placing his bag in the cabinet, he closed door and turned to face her.

  The glint in his eye sent her butterflies fluttering.

  She'd made a mistake.

  "You wanna repeat that?" he said, walking slowly towards her. "I wanna make sure I heard you right."

  Her pride wanted to stand firm.

  Her common sense said, back down.

  Her pride won.

  "Salvo. He'll be my bodyguard," she said, her heart hammering as she spoke. "This creep has to be stopped."

  "Yeah, he does, and so do you."

  With lightning speed he lifted his foot to the seat of the chair, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her over his thigh, but as he did the blanket fell away leaving her backside exposed, her thin pink panties her only protection.

  "What the hell?"

  He responded with a sharp, swift blow to her sit spot.

  "I dunno if you were tryin' to provoke this, or if you meant what you said, but either way you're gettin' your butt spanked."

  "But I—"

  His hot hand cut her off, and swiftly lowering her underwear, he delivered a flurry of hot smacks.

  "You're not goin' anywhere near that tavern or any other bar," he exclaimed without missing a beat. "I care about you. It's been a long time since I've had feelin's like this, and if you think I'm gonna let you go off half-cocked and try to catch a serial rapist, you're outta your mind."

  "Ow, ow, ow, stop, please, I'm sorry."

  "You swear to me you're gonna forget this crazy idea?" he asked, pausing his hand.

  "Yes. I swear."

  "This is how I am, Theresa. I'm gonna watch out for you, and if that doesn't work in your book, I get it. Just tell me. Best we get this outta the way now. Are you okay with bein' spanked if I think you need it?"

  A swell of emotion flooded her heart. Henry had been the same, and she'd love every second of his take-charge, protective love.

  "Yes, Sir."

  "Have you been down this road before? Is that why you called me sir?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  "I can't say I'm surprised. I figured as much when you asked me to spank you at The Horseshoe, but we'll talk about that later. Right now we've got some unfinished business. You need to understand who you're dealin' with, and you've got a hankerin' to find out. Am I right? You want more? You need more?"

  "Yes, Sir."

  Her face flaming red, and her bottom stinging, she fleetingly wondered why she'd craved the loving authority Henry had given her, and Josh now offered, but his quick, brisk slaps snapped her back to the moment.

  "Ow! Ow!"

  "Yep, I'm gonna make your ass burn, Princess. You're not goin' off on some criminal chasin' adventure."

  "I won't, I promise. Ow!"

  His relentless, rhythmic hand continued to dance from cheek to cheek, reddening her skin and making her squeal, but he wasn't about to stop until he was sure he'd convinced her to drop the foolish plan.

  "You sure about that? You wouldn't be makin' an empty promise, would you?"

  "No, Sir. No. I won't go anywhere, I won't."

  "You'd better not, 'cos until this guy is caught you're not safe, whether your settin' a trap or not," he declared, continuing to rain his hand on her scarlet backside.

  "I understand! I do!"

  He believed her. He also believed she understood who he was and how hi
s mind worked, and to his great joy it appeared she still wanted him.

  "Come here, Princess," he murmured, dropping his leg away and pulling her into his arms. "I had to spank you hard."

  "I know."

  "Anything you wanna say?"

  "It was a stupid idea, and I'm sorry."

  "What else?"

  "Thank you. I've missed this so much."

  "Yep, I can relate," he said with a heavy sigh. "It's been a long time for me too. I can't have what people call a normal relationship. But there's something else you need to say."

  "How can you know me so well?"

  "Comes with bein' a guy like me, I guess. Spit it out."

  "I didn't mean what I said. I had no desire to go to the club with Salvo. I would never put him in that position, and I sure as hell don't want to be another victim. I was just trying to win."

  "You win a lot, don't you, Princess?"

  "Pretty much," she admitted, moving her head from the crook of his shoulder to look up at him. "But I don't think I'll be winning very much with you."

  "That would only make you frustrated."

  "It would, and that's so weird. Josh, my butt hurts."

  "Good. I hope it stays that way for a while."

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Sure."

  "Why do you call me Princess?"

  "The title suits you."

  "That's it? There must be more. Or do you call all the women you're with Princess?"

  "All the women? You think I've got a harem?"

  "Maybe you did once," she said with a wink.

  "I've never called any other woman Princess. Happy now?"

  "No. Tell me the whole story. There's more to it. I can feel it."

  "The storm's lettin' up," he remarked, turning his head to the window.

  "No, no, no! You're not leaving here until you tell me."

  "Who just got their tail spanked?"

  "Pleeease?"

  "Okay. This one you get to win."

  "Yay, thank you," she exclaimed, pecking him on the cheek. "Tell me everything."

  "There's not much to tell, but since you want to know everything I'll start with my mare. When I walked to the paddock and she turned her head and looked at me, I felt somethin'. Hard to explain, but I did. Like a jolt, and the name Queenie flashed through my head. When I first saw you walkin' into the barn, I damn near had a heart attack. You were wearin' that leather jacket with its shiny buttons, those tight jeans and high-heeled boots, and I swear, girl, you were a vision. When you came up and asked about lessons, your hair was flowing around you like a chocolate waterfall, and your dark eyes—I could barely look at you. I almost called you Princess right then. That's how I saw you, as a princess, and that's how I still see you, except now you're not a princess, your my princess."